Leesburg Town Council Meeting April 14, 2026

The Leesburg Town Council held its regular meeting on April 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Town Hall, 25 West Market Street. Councilmember Wilt was absent and participated virtually with council approval. The meeting included proclamations, presentations, consent agenda items, resolutions, public hearings, and a fiscal policy amendment. All votes were 6-0-1 unless otherwise noted, with Councilmember Wilt absent.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (April 2026): Mayor read the proclamation; Samantha Clarke, CEO of LAWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, accepted. She emphasized that survivors are seen, believed, and supported, and that men also experience sexual violence.
• National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month (April 2026): Samantha Clarke and Lisa Donovan (Child Advocacy Director) highlighted the Loudoun Child Advocacy Center's work. Lisa Donovan stated that one in four girls and one in six boys are abused before age 18, and the average age of disclosure is 50.
• Arbor Day (April 24, 2026): Tree Commissioner Tara Holt announced an Eastern Red Bud planting at Harper Park Middle School on April 28 at 9 a.m., tree giveaways at the Flower and Garden Festival, and the Treessburg spring giveaway on May 2.
• National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12-18, 2026): Blake Costello, ECC Manager, and Deputy Chief David Smith recognized the work of dispatchers.
• John W. Tolbert, Jr. Environmental Award: Presented to Peter Burnett for the 338 Net Zero building, an adaptive reuse project that produces as much energy as it consumes.
• Crossroads Music Festival: Ara Bagdasarian and Amy (incoming president of Visit Loudoun) presented the festival's history and future plans. They requested consideration as a legacy event and a fee waiver, but no formal numbers were presented. Council asked staff to work with them and bring back a proposal.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items A, B, C, D, and F: Hydrocyclones contract, King Street improvement funding commitment, W&OD Trail Lighting Phase I endorsement, Six Remnant Defendants National Opioid Settlement, and donation from the Commission on Public Art to Friends of Leesburg Public Arts.
• Item E (Oaklawn Water Main Upgrade) was pulled by Vice Mayor Semino Johnson. After discussion, a motion to approve it failed on a 3-3 tie (Mayor, Councilmember Steinberg, and Councilmember Cummings voting yes? — actual vote: 3 ayes, 3 noes, 1 absent), so the item will wait 30 days.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak during the petitioner section or either public hearing.

Discussion Items

• Homewood Suites Signage Modification: Staff recommended denial, citing that the proposed sign above 25 feet (at 48 feet) did not meet the unusual site constraints standard. A motion to deny failed 4-2-1. A subsequent motion to approve passed 4-2-1, authorizing the zoning administrator to approve the sign permit.
• Special Event Fee Waiver – Loudoun Pride Festival: Approved a fee waiver of $4,743 (50% of $9,485 in town resources) for the June 6 event at Ida Lee Park.
• Awareness Display Flag Raising and Illumination for Pride Month: Approved flag raising June 5-12 and illumination June 5-30, with blackout dates June 19 and June 29-30 due to Juneteenth and July 4th observances.
• Appointment to Thomas Balch Library Commission: Chang Liu was appointed unanimously.

Public Hearings

• Condemnation for Downtown Streetlights Phase II: Authorized eminent domain to acquire a 13-square-foot easement from Realty Income Property 7 (Exxon) after negotiations stalled. Motion passed 5-0-1 (Councilmember Cummings? actual: 5 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent).
• Budget Amendment for Purchase of Rock Spring Farm: Approved a $5,786,000 budget amendment for the purchase of a 13-acre property (sales price $5,750,000 plus $25,000 closing costs and $11,000 securing costs). Funding split 50-50 between general fund (using data center computer equipment tax reserve) and utilities fund cash reserve. Motion passed 5-0-1? Vote was 4 ayes, 2 noes? Actually recorded as "four four two one one two three four one two and one not here" — ambiguous, but later not clarified. The motion passed.

Key Outcomes

• Council approved the fiscal policy amendments for the Town of Leesburg (6-0-1).
• Councilmember Steinberg requested bringing the Oaklawn water main item back for a work session and possible vote at the next business meeting.
• Councilmember Cummings reported on community events and invited residents to "Meet the Mayor" at Paris Baguette on April 15, 9-11 a.m.
• The meeting adjourned after a motion passed (6-0-1).